From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Fri Jun 29 2001 - 12:17:22 MDT
>From: "Alex F. Bokov" <alexboko@umich.edu>
>> Genetic engineering and crossbreeding are completely different
>> things. No amount of cross breeding is going to introduce genes
>> that are not already within the species, not even so called
>> directed evolution to induce somoclonal variation.
>Well, if I may nitpick, a virus that infects multiple species
>could theoretically transfer functioning genetic material from
>one to another. The likelihood of that happening, especially with
>genes that humans happen to find useful, is pretty low I'll grant
>you that.
Well, I was talking crossbreeding. Both you and Robert are correct
about virus and plasmid transfers introducing new elements though.
The DNA of many species seems to contain these accidental DNA cross
contaminates.
There was an article I believe I quoted here awhile back from Mit's
"Technology Review" on companies using directed evolution
specifically to try and create new varieties.
Speaking of "Technology Review" there is a brief blurb in the new
one about a new domestic robot. It scurries around the house
cleaning the floor with a continuous terry cloth element rinsed
with solution. It's designed to be kind to furniture.
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Nov 02 2002 - 08:08:21 MST